Rangers boss, Steven Gerrard has turned down the opportunity to manage Derby County ahead of next season according to The Times. 

The report claims that the Rams see Gerrard as Frank Lampard's potential successor, as they prepare for their 2019/2020 league campaign.

Lampard looks as though he is heading back to Chelsea to become their new manager, after the club announced that Maurizio Sarri is leaving to become the new Juventus boss.

The Derby boss guided the Rams to a top six finish in his first season in charge, before they lost out on promotion to the Premier League at the final hurdle after a defeat to Aston Villa in the Play-Off final at Wembley.

His good work seemingly hasn't gone unnoticed, and Chelsea see him as Sarri's successor heading into the new season which gets underway in August.

It's far from ideal preparation for Derby, and they'll be keen to have a new manager appointed at the earliest of opportunities.

It has recently been reported by the Daily Mail, that Aston Villa assistant coach, John Terry has also been approached by the Rams to become their new manager if Lampard was to depart.

The Verdict: 

I'm not surprised he's rejected them.

Gerrard is starting to build something special at Rangers, and I can see him becoming a legend there for years to come.

He won't be wanting to rush into any rash decisions over his future, and Derby will have to find a successor for Lampard, who looks like he is heading for a return to Stamford Bridge.